One of the best things about Tucson City in Arizona is the sunshine. If you are ever around, you may wonder what else there is to see apart from the luxurious resorts that give you the perfect feel of desert weather and landscapes. We have selected some of the best attractions you could put in your itinerary while visiting.

San Xavier del Bac Mission

Spanish Jesuits built this beautiful mission center in the late 1700s. The buildings showcase old Spanish architecture, and they preserve a rich history through photos, books, and maps. You can catch a tour any day between Monday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 1 pm. There is no charge to tour the place, but you are welcome to donate to facilitate its continuous running and maintenance.

Biosphere 2

This is a state-of-the-art research facility run by the University of Arizona. It showcases the earth’s ecosystems in a manner that will blow your mind. Some of the ecosystems you will see are the agronomic system, the prairie grassland, mangrove, and rainforest. It is an excellent place to see where the earth has come from and glimpse at what the future might look like. You will find Biosphere 2 on Biosphere Road in Oracle.

Pima Air & Space Museum

This museum on Valencia Road in Tucson is the largest aerospace museum worldwide. If you love aircrafts, you will be thrilled to see over 400 spacecrafts and aircrafts on display. The aircraft display sits on eighty acres of land. Some of the airplanes you will see include JFK’s presidential plane and some World War II aircrafts. There are also fascinating new models to see. Consider taking a guided tram tour. The most exciting thing about the tours is that some of the guides worked on the aircraft they showcased. The museum has been in operation since 1976.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

This breathtaking place is located in North-Eastern Tucson in the Coronado National Forest. You get to experience desert beauty through the plants and animals such as Mountain Lions. You can also look forward to a view of the Catalina Mountains. Some of the activities you can engage in here are walking, picnicking, or taking a tram tour. 

Saguaro National Park

A visit to this national park will give you the perfect experience of the Sonoran Desert. You will encounter desert animals such as tortoises, cactus wrens, jackrabbits, Gila woodpeckers, and monster lizards. If you visit in March, you will be lucky to find the wildflowers in bloom. The best attraction in this park is the Saguaro cactus which is the largest in North America and can grow up to fifty feet. Saguaro National Park is divided into the Eastern and the Western side. Usually, the Eastern side is more accessible than the Western side. Some activities to engage in while you are here include hiking and camping. 

Tohono Chul Gardens

These botanical gardens to the North-West of Tucson City have been around for over twenty-five years. They showcase over four hundred and fifty species of plants native to the Sonoran Desert on 49 acres of land. One plant to look out for is the Cereus, which will only bloom at night. The park has several outdoor exhibits alongside a rich art collection and a gift shop for souvenirs. 

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

If you only have time to visit one place in Tucson, this museum is where you should go. It houses a botanical garden, a zoo, and a natural history museum. It’s the perfect place to gain an understanding of the Sonoran Desert. It showcases indigenous plants and animals from the Sonoran Desert, with over a thousand plant species represented. Some of the animals you can look forward to seeing here are the Sonoran chub, ocelot, and razorback sucker, which are all endangered species. You can watch a live animal presentation, after which the guides will give you helpful information about the animals presented. Look out for the aquarium, which showcases some aquatic desert life. Note that a good chunk of this museum is outdoors, seeing as Tucson is generally a desert climate. You can prepare by carrying enough water and getting a hat for the sun.

The University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is more than just a school campus. There are so many things to explore. One of the places you can pop into is the mineral museum, which showcases meteorites, gems, and minerals from various places globally, focusing on Mexico and Arizona. The university also has a museum of art that carries an impressive collection of works from current artists and those renowned from years past. If you love photos, you will want to visit the center of creative photography that has been in operation since 1975. Lastly, you can see the Arizona State Museum, which has been around since 1893. It is rich in anthropological history and is an excellent place to learn more about the Indian cultural heritage. 

Reid Park Zoo

Any animal lover will be thrilled to visit Reid Park Zoo in Tucson. Here, you will see various animals from various places in the world, such as bears, giraffes, tigers, lions, and elephants. If you are lucky, you may get to name a newborn animal. Kids will feel at home in this place, as there are a lot of activities to keep them engaged. You can plug into the Reid Park Zoo Express train or the Giraffe Encounter, which gives a chance to feed the giraffes by hand.

Final Thoughts

Tucson gives you a chance to experience a little bit of everything. Consider visiting the Kitt Peak National Observatory, Hotel Congress, the Tucson Children’s Museum, Old Tucson Studios, and Tucson Botanical Gardens if you have more time. Between history, technology, nature, science, art, and ancient culture, you can be sure that you will have the experience to remember.